We take a look at the biggest stories from across Europe that you need to know about today.
1. Brexit debate resumes
ADVERTISEMENTA parliament debate is set to begin on British Prime Minister Theresa May's Brexit deal ahead of a vote on January 15.
The prime minister cancelled a vote on her deal last month because it was set to be rejected "by a significant margin".
The renewed debate comes after MPs defeated May’s government on Tuesday on an amendment aimed at making it more difficult to leave the EU without a deal.
Euronews’ Vincent McAviney has all the details in the video below.
2. European democracy in decline
Democracy has declined more in Europe than any other region in the world, according to new statistics by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU).
The EIU said a "democratic malaise" had been particularly felt in Western Europe, where the state of democracy has declined for a third consecutive year.
However, even with a slight increase reported in 2018, Eastern Europe was found to have deteriorated the most since the EIU started its Democracy Index in 2006.
3. German student confesses to hack attack
A 20-year-old German student who lives with his parents in the state of Hesse has confessed to hacking politicians and public figures in one of the biggest data breaches in the country’s history.
The self-taught hacker has been released from custody as the investigation continues, with police saying they don’t believe there was any strong political motive for the attack.
Euronews’ Jessica Saltz shares what you need to know about the case:
4. French Alps helicopter rescue
An extraordinary helicopter rescue mission was caught on video in the French Alps.
In the footage, the pilot shows off his impressive steering skills, rescuing an injured skier with incredible precision as his rotor blades spin just inches from the mountainside.
5. Russia and World Anti-Doping Agency ‘reach understanding’ on lab data
The Kremlin says Russia and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) have reached an understanding on the handover of data from the former Moscow anti-doping laboratory.
Russia was due to hand over the data to WADA by the end of 2018 in order for RUSADA, its national anti-doping agency, to keep its accreditation.
RUSADA was suspended in 2015 after a WADA-commissioned report outlined evidence of state-backed, systematic doping in Russian athletics. Moscow has denied the allegations.
6. Trial of French cardinal continues
The Roman Catholic archbishop of Lyon, Cardinal Philippe Barbarin, is facing the third day of his trial over allegations that he failed to report a priest for the sexual abuse of children.
ADVERTISEMENTBarbarin, 68, denies the allegations.
Euronews correspondent Valerie Gauriat, who is at the court in Lyon, said the day began with statements from the prosecution lawyers, who “are focusing very much on the human aspect of this case”.
Defence lawyers are expected to give statements later today, focusing on the procedural aspects.
You can follow our live news coverage from 6am-12pm CET every weekday in the blog below:
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